v Page 157 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Ducks visit Oilers with chance to solidify Pacific Division lead
The Anaheim Ducks can take a major step towards locking up their first Pacific Division title in nine years when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday afternoon.,The Ducks (41-27-4, 86 points) own a five-point lead over the Oilers (36-28-9, 81 points) for first place in the division and have 10...

In sight of top spot, Spurs to work on 'improvements' vs. Bucks
The San Antonio Spurs continue their chase for the best record in the NBA when they square off against the reeling Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday afternoon as first place in the Western Conference remains in sight.,The Spurs (55-18) are on a seven-game winning streak, with the latest a 123-98 road vict...

Under new management, Nationals out to keep pressure on Cubs
Washington Nationals rookie manager Blake Butera basked in the achievement of winning his first game Thursday.,Once his players let him be, that is.,"They grabbed me and next thing you know, there was a lot of liquids all over me in the shower," Butera said. "All kinds of stuff. Shaving cream, beer,...

Cardinals seeking another offensive outburst vs. Rays
The St. Louis Cardinals will bid to ride their new-look offense to their second victory in as many games on Saturday afternoon when they continue their three-game series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.,Alec Burleson highlighted his three-hit performance by belting a two-run homer to cap an eigh...

Alabama G Aden Holloway granted court injunction to travel
Alabama guard Aden Holloway was granted permission by a Tuscaloosa district court judge to travel out of state while facing felony drug charges, per multiple reports Friday.,No. 4 seed Alabama (25-9) faces No. 1 seed Michigan (33-3) on Friday night in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 in Chicago.,Despi...

Matthew Schaefer, Islanders set sights on Panthers
At some point, Matthew Schaefer's standout debut season may see him break the team record for points by a rookie defenseman.,Of greater urgency for the New York Islanders is improving their position in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race. The next chance for that occurs Saturday afternoon when...

Senators chasing critical points in visit to Lightning
The Ottawa Senators are in the throes of a playoff push, but adding two points Saturday afternoon against the host Tampa Bay Lightning will not be easy.,The Senators (38-24-10, 86 points) burst into the Eastern Conference's No. 2 wild-card spot with Tuesday's 3-2 victory at the Detroit Red Wings but...

Iran bans sports teams from traveling to 'hostile' countries
Iran has banned the nation's sports teams from traveling to "hostile" countries, Iranian state TV reported Thursday.,The ban did not specifically mention this summer's FIFA World Cup, taking place in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.,The Ministry of Sports in Tehran's statement singled out an upcoming so...

Michigan G Macy Brown (knee) out for rest of NCAA Tournament
Michigan reserve guard Macy Brown will miss the rest of the Women's NCAA Tournament with a torn ACL. ,The 6-foot junior sustained the injury to her right knee during a practice last weekend, the school confirmed on Friday.,The second-seeded Wolverines (27-6) face third-seeded Louisville (29-7) in th...

Wave sign former Chelsea striker Catarina Macario
The San Diego Wave announced the signing of former Chelsea striker Catarina Macario on Friday.,The 26-year-old U.S. Women's National Team veteran is signed through the 2030 NWSL campaign.,Macario, who was born in Brazil and starred at Stanford, played for youth teams while growing up in the San Dieg...

Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson faces tall task vs. Dodgers
With one game behind them in the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers and visiting Arizona Diamondbacks will unleash dueling surprises when the teams meet again on Friday night.,A pair of surprise No. 2 starters will clash when the Dodgers send Emmet Sheehan to the mound against fellow right-hand...

Chase DeLauter, Guardians hope for encore performance vs. Mariners
It didn't take long for Chase DeLauter to announce his candidacy for the American Leagues Rookie of the Year award.,Playing in his first regular-season game after making his MLB debut in the 2025 playoffs, DeLauter went 3-for-5 with two solo home runs as the Cleveland Guardians defeated the host Sea...

Tigers LHP Framber Valdez draws Padres to open his Detroit era
Framber Valdez will have a high bar to clear when he makes his Detroit Tigers' debut Friday night on the road against the San Diego Padres.,Valdez went 81-52 with a 3.36 ERA in eight seasons and 188 games (166 starts) with the Houston Astros before signing a three-year, $115 million deal with Detroi...

Angels strive to follow up 'special moment' in rematch vs. Astros
Kurt Suzuki will manage his second major league game on Friday night when his Los Angeles Angels continue their season-opening series against the host Houston Astros. ,All things considered, it will be hard to top his first game.,Suzuki received a post-game beer shower from his team after the Angels...

As Pelicans visit, Raptors must stack wins to guarantee top-six playoff spot
The Toronto Raptors will play beyond the regular season for the first time since 2022.,That is all they know for certain. They could finish anywhere from fifth to 10th in the Eastern Conference, so every game -- beginning with the one against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night -- is i...

Rangers focused on developing younger players in game vs. Blackhawks
The New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks are using the final weeks of lost seasons to gauge some of their youth.,Plenty of youth will be on display Friday night when the Rangers host the Blackhawks. New York is eliminated from postseason contention, while Chicago isn't far removed from that fate....

Lakers return home from successful trip to face spiraling Nets
The Los Angeles Lakers received a welcome day off on Thursday following a six-game trip that saw the team solidify its third-place standing in the Western Conference.,Winners of 13 of their last 15 games, the Lakers will begin a three-game homestand with a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday...

Blazers intent on improving playoff position in matchup vs. reeling Mavericks
The Portland Trail Blazers already have clinched a postseason berth for the first time in five seasons, even if it's just a spot in the play-in tournament.,Interim coach Tiago Splitter and his team want much more than that, however.,After winning five of its last six games to get back to .500 for th...

Nearly locked into play-in, Warriors try to improve seeding vs. Wizards
With a spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament almost a certainty, the Golden State Warriors will look to improve their positioning down the stretch, beginning with a Friday date against the Washington Wizards in San Francisco.,Golden State (35-38) pulled out of a recent tailspin in which ...

Avs edge Jets as NHL goals leader Nathan MacKinon nets pair
Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals 3:42 apart early in the third period, Jack Drury also had a goal and the visiting Colorado Avalanche beat the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 on Thursday night.,Artturi Lehkonen had an assist in his return from an 11-game absence with an upper-body injury and Mackenzie Blackwood ...